CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) – New Zealand has made one change to their squad for the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka after winning the first yesterday by eight wickets.
All rounder Corey Anderson has recovered from a groin injury and rejoins the 13-man squad at the expense of batsman Dean Brownlie.
Opener Hamish Rutherford has been retained and is likely to play in the second Test starting at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Saturday despite making scores of 18 and 10 in Christchurch.
In the first Test, Sri Lanka resumed the final day at 293 for five in their second innings and were soon reduced to nine down before Shaminda Eranga (45 not out) and Suranga Lakmal (16) shared a rapid 59-run stand for the final wicket to set New Zealand a target of 105 to win.
That last-wicket stand raised Sri Lanka’s hopes of pulling off the rare feat of a Test victory after following on, and there was further encouragement when both New Zealand openers were removed cheaply.
Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews boldly chose off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal to share the new ball with Eranga. The gamble played off when Kaushal had Tom Latham (17) caught at slip.
Hamish Rutherford (10) then fended an Eranga delivery to gully, leaving New Zealand on a nervous 43-2.
However Williamson (31 not out) and Taylor (39 not out) saw New Zealand to tea without further loss, and they quickly hunted down the remaining runs after the break, completing the run chase in 30.4 overs.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (captain), Jimmy Neesham, Corey Anderson, B.J. Watling, Mark Craig, Neil Wagner, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
